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For my Policy class, I created an info graph around the Monsanto RoundUp monopoly. I did extensive research on multiple online sources, finding rattling information on why RoundUp is unsafe to buy and use around your home. In my research I specifically studied RoundUp’s effects on air, people, and plant life. From this experience, I’ve learned that if you have a monopoly over an industry, you have total power on what goes into your product, especially in the food market. After my work was complete, I sent out an email to Monsanto themselves, with a link to my work and why they should be held accountable. My work is below, check it out!

Is RoundUp a “safe” product?

RoundUp is a weed killing product produced by farming powerhouse Monsanto, it started in 1974, and has had a monopoly on the weed killing industry ever since. RoundUp has a very dangerous effect on your everyday life. As shown in my infograph, RoundUp has a very negative effect on the people, plant life, and air around it. RoundUp is mainly made up of a systemic herbicide called glyphosate. Glyphosate is a deadly herbicide and it is what I am studying through the monopoly lense. RoundUp made over a billion dollars last year, mainly because it has a strangle on the weed killing industry. With facts and quotes to support me, I will show you why RoundUp is a dangerous product to have in your home.
According to Purdue professor Don Huber “Micronutrients such as manganese, copper, potassium, iron, magnesium, calcium, and zinc are essential to human health. All of them can be reduced in availability by glyphosate; (The product used in RoundUp) mineral nutrients are less in glyphosate treated plants. We are seeing a reduction in nutrient quality” RoundUp can reduce the availability of iron, magnesium, calcium, and zinc. Lack of iron and calcium can lead to deadly diseases such as anemia and scurvy (or more commonly known as vitamin C deficiency.) This study from Professor Huber proves that RoundUp is a dangerous product to put in common spaces such as yards or community gardens.
In January of 2013, two scientists, Anthony Samsel and Stephanie Seneff did a study on the negative effects RoundUp has on the human brain and body. The results they found were astonishing. “Here, we show how interference with CYP enzymes acts synergistically with disruption of the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids by gut bacteria, as well as impairment in serum sulfate transport. Consequences are most of the diseases and conditions associated with a Western diet, which include gastrointestinal disorders, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, depression, autism, infertility, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease”
Post the study, law firms and outraged citizens can now link glyphosate to Autism, Cancer, Obesity and much more, thus opening the door on a federal offense. Only months after the study was released, a private law firm has taken action and sued Monsanto specifically for its link to Autism. With links to Autism, we now have proof that RoundUp is too dangerous to have around children, especially babies.
In August of 2011, the U.S Department of the Interior did a study on RoundUp’s effect on water and air. In studying, they noticed that in RoundUp’s most popular region, basins in southern Mississippi, glyphosate was found miles from the nearest farm on shrub and in streams. Through research they were able to deduct that particles of glyphosate moved throughout the air onto other shrub and streams.
I find this to be so interesting because of its affect on every person in the country. We can link every source of organic food in the country to farms, with more than 75% of those farms using RoundUp on their crops, who knows how much damage they have cost. Perhaps a cancer patient, or autistic child could be suffering at the hands of GMO product and company. I am fascinated that we don’t hold Monsanto and RoundUp more accountable.
One noticing I’ve taken note of is the drop off of sales in RoundUp. In 2010, The Rochester Laborers Pension Fund (A group of investors) sued Monsanto for its drop off in RoundUp sales. Knowing the recent facts proven about Monsanto, perhaps there has been a drop off in sales, but an increase in consumer awareness.
Breaking down RoundUp in everyday facets has proven to be an eye opening way to understand the scientific deficiencies. Given the drop off in sales and increase in lawsuits against Monsanto, I can deduct that RoundUp is being understood for the poisons in and around the entire product.